The entire Bayelsa State and parts of Rivers State have been thrown intro darkness following the vandalisation of four towers belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV Double Circuit line.
TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah who announced this in a statement on Thursday said, the affected towers, T171 to T174, which were compromised and collapsed at approximately 6:23 pm on Tuesday, 11th March, were discovered after a failed trial reclosure that prompted a subsequent patrol.
According to her, “investigations confirmed that the towers’ collapse was a direct result of vandalism. This incident has disrupted power supply to the Ahoda, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations, affecting some parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State.”
Mrs Mbah disclosed that a team of engineers, led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Emmanuel Apka has visited the site to assess the extent of the damage.
She noted that TCN is making frantic effort to mobilize personnel and materials for the repair of the vandalized towers so that the bulk power supply could be restored to the affected states.
While condemning the act of vandalism, which continues to undermine efforts made to put in place a robust transmission grid, the GM again called on host communities to join the fight against vandalism of power infrastructure in the country.
